Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says a package of law enforcement reforms includes a 20 percent pay raise for more than 3,300 state law enforcement officers and an overhaul in training and certification programs.

Deal announced the initiative on Thursday, and said the pay raise will be effective Jan. 1.

The governor said in a statement that the demands of protecting Georgians have changed and grown, which requires better pay and better training.

Deal added that the state government must recruit and retain "the best and brightest," while also giving them adequate training and resources.